Harnessing Tech Talent in Izmir

Pioneers in digital commerce solutions, Astound Commerce recognizes the value of exploring new avenues and embraces every opportunity to welcome new talent to its diverse team. And in 2019, as a part of its global expansion initiative, Astound opened a new office in İzmir, Turkey, a booming hub for technology.

The idea to open an office in İzmir was first introduced by Ozan Külahcı, Astound Country Manager. Passionate about software development, he knew there were more people in his hometown who shared his love for technology.

“İzmir has much potential in the field of technology, and a global company like Astound Commerce will only benefit from its impressive talent pool,” says Ozan.

But launching a new office at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging. With employee safety and health at the forefront, the newly opened office was closed until further notice. Even so, the İzmir team was determined to begin their new journey at Astound and thus began working remotely. Within a single year, the team helped Astound launch major projects for iconic brands and organizations including the multi-industry company Al-Futtaim and retail brands Boohoo, Accessorize, Monsoon, and Halfords.

“We enjoyed working on all of these projects, as they required different approaches and allowed us to work with new technologies and people across the globe,” notes Ozan. “However, the first project was the biggest one for our team.”

The Al-Futtaim project had the İzmir team collaborating with diverse, global brands—such as Toys"R"Us, M&S, Kiabi, ACE, and Homeworks—and exploring breakthrough technologies. “This was something that the team worked on the longest, but it was a rewarding experience,” Ozan explains.

When it comes to building revolutionary ecommerce ecosystems, Astound works with various software technologies, including Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC). And with more than 15 years of SFCC experience, Astound is proud of its vast team of SFCC-certified developers and encourages and supports those who want to become certified.

“It is a very important opportunity for my self-development, which the company provides, that I am able to apply for the SFCC Developer certification,” says Halil Can Ozcelik, Web Developer at Astound Commerce İzmir. “And best of all, I know that I’ll have the necessary support from my management to do so.”

Apart from offering team members countless avenues to enhance their skills, Astound also provides each employee with an open opportunity to advance their career once they feel ready.

According to Burcu Cosgun, Human Resources Specialist and Office Administrator at Astound Commerce İzmir, the company is dedicated to helping its people grow and ensures that employees’ contributions and efforts are rewarded. “It is important for us to see our employees interested and engaged in what they’re doing, alongside feeling appreciated for their efforts,” Burcu explains. “We have several processes that help people advance further and gain the recognition they’ve earned.”

Ozan began working at Astound as a Senior Web Developer and states he quickly became a Web Development Lead and Country Manager “thanks to the supportive atmosphere and growth opportunities Astound provides.”

“Till this day, I am noticing the advancement of both my soft and hard skills on a daily basis,” Ozan continues. “I find challenging projects more and more exciting; finding solutions to certain problems with collaborative and supportive people feels like an achievement both for me and the team.”

Moreover, Astound understands the importance of a diverse workforce, making every effort to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels recognized and appreciated. Halil explains, “I love working in a multicultural environment, communicating with people across the globe who always have a lot of interesting insights and tips to share—that’s an advantage!”

Astound Commerce is growing rapidly and is always looking for new members to join its dynamic team. Visit the Astound Careers page for more information and an always-updated list of available positions—in İzmir or around the world.